Page 56 of Famous Last Words
“I’m gonna fly straight to Boston from Toronto. And I thought you could meet me there. And then, I was going to drive my car back to New York the next day.”
“You have a car?” I roll my eyes at my own question.Yeah, Fran, because that’s exactly what you should be focusing on right now. A fucking car, and not the fact that he wants you to go to Boston to meet his dying mother.
“Yeah, why do you think I wanted a place with a parking spot so bad?”
I clear my throat again, if for nothing else, to provide myself a few extra seconds to consider my response.
“And Ma really wants to meet you,” Robbie adds, and there’s a blatant hint of fragility in his tone that makes my heart crack.
I shake my head, still completely blindsided. “You told your mom about me?”
“Yeah.” He hesitates before adding, “Is that okay?”
“Did you tell her about me and ourarrangement, or does she think I’m youractualgirlfriend?”
“I couldn’t tell her thetruth,” Robbie says after a brief pause. “She’sdying, Keller. And do you know the only thing she’s scared of about dying isn’t the unknown, eternity of death. It’s leaving me alone.”
My heart hitches, but I bite my cheek instead of responding.
“When I told her about you, she—” He scoffs. “Man, I could almost hear the way she lit up from the inside. She was so happy. Happier than I’ve heard her sound in a long time.”
“Okay, I’ll go,” I say quickly. “I don’t like lying to your mom, but… I’ll do it.” I puff air from my cheeks, shaking my head at myself.
“Thank you.” He releases a heavy breath, sounding relieved. But then he speaks again. “I’ll have Andy book your flight.”
“Okay.” I place my hand over my mouth in an attempt to stifle a yawn.
“I should let you get some sleep,” Robbie says, and I don’t know—maybe I’m delusional—but it almost sounds like he doesn’t want to hang up. Or maybe I’m overthinking. Again. “I’ll see you at the game tomorrow night?”
I bite back my smile. “Yeah. I’ll be there.”
“Goodnight, Keller.”
“Goodnight.”
CHAPTER 23
FRAN
Tadd Jennings is an asshole. I mean, it’s not as if that’s a surprise revelation, but as I stand here in the cavernous great room of the Columbus Circle penthouse, staring out as night starts to fall over Central Park, Tadd’s really solidified his asshole status with this latest dick move, that’s for sure.
I was on my way home to shower and change before making my way to Madison Square Garden in time to meet Vera and Tyler, when Tadd called me in a panic, asking if I could get to the penthouse in time to meet the stagers for the walk-through because he’d been caught in traffic.
That was literally three hours ago. I’m highly doubtful there ever was a walk-through, and I’m growing more and more certain that this is just another one of Tadd’s bullshit schemes that I was stupid enough to fall for.
As I look down at my phone, I shake my head and, with a huff, scroll to my messages.
Me: Hey. I’m caught up at work. When you guys get there, just go ahead and I’ll meet you inside.
Vera: WHEN we get here… We’ve been here for FORTY MINUTES because Tyler was scared the entire New York City metro system would fail and he’d miss the game. You should see him right now. He’s bouncing up and down like a kid waiting for Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the fucking Tooth Fairy all at once. At first it was endearing. Now it’s just embarrassing.
Despite the laugh that bubbles up the back of my throat, I feel terrible. I specifically asked Robbie if I could get two extra tickets for Vera and Tyler for tonight’s game, and he didn’t hesitate. Even at the last minute of what I’m sure is another sell-out game. Robbie didn’t have to do that, but he did. And Vera has been texting me all day to tell me how excited Tyler is.
God, I feel like such an idiot.Stupid Tadd.
Me: Imagine what he’s going to be like outside the locker room.
Vera: I’m seriously starting to worry that he might actually make a move on your boy.
